House Committee Passes Self-Driving Vehicle Legislation

The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, on July 27, unanimously approved a bill that would regulate self-driving vehicles. The bill, named the “Safely Ensuring Lives Future Deployment and Research In Vehicle Evolution Act” (“SELF DRIVE Act”), would:

1. Preempt state regulations of self-driving vehicles.

2. Require that the Secretary of Transportation draft new regulations regarding the submission of safety data for self-driving vehicles.

3. Require that manufacturers of self-driving vehicles submit a cybersecurity plan to address potential vulnerabilities in automated vehicle control systems.

5. Require that manufacturers of self-driving vehicles develop a privacy plan regarding the collection and use of vehicle owner and occupant data.

Under the proposed legislation, automakers could apply for exemptions for a limited number of vehicles for up to four years. The bill will now be considered by the full House of Representatives while the Senate works on introducing a similar bill.